Vocational Student Arrested in Pathumwan for Selling Modified Firearms to Fund Education

[Georgealbert]

 

 

Picture of the arrest.

  

A 19-year-old vocational student from Pathumwan was arrested for selling a homemade firearm with a modified barrel for 18,000 baht, claiming he needed the money for tuition. The arrest was made following a sting operation led by the Bangkok Metropolitan Police Bureau (BMPB) on September 6, 2024.

 

The police, led by Lt. Gen. Thiti Saengsawang, Chief of the Metropolitan Police Bureau, along with a team of investigators, apprehended the suspect, identified as Mr. Pitsanu (last name withheld), in a parking lot at a gas station on Phetkasem Road in Phasi Charoen District. He faces charges of illegally selling and possessing firearms and carrying a weapon in a public area without a valid reason.

 

 

The investigation began when the BMPB’s second investigative unit, with assistance from an informant, identified the suspect using a Facebook account to sell firearms. According to the authorities, Mr. Pitsanu used social media to advertise the sale of a modified .380 caliber gun for 18,000 baht. A sting operation was planned, and the suspect agreed to meet the undercover officer at the gas station.

 

At around 17:30, on September 6, police officers, along with the informant, arrived at the meeting point. Mr. Pitsanu approached the informant’s car to complete the sale. After inspecting the firearm, the police handed him 6,000 baht in cash, with the informant promising to transfer the remaining 12,000 baht later. The signal was then given, and the police swiftly moved in to arrest him.

 

During questioning, Mr. Pitsanu admitted to modifying the gun himself after purchasing it as a BB gun for 1,900 baht from Chatuchak Market in 2023. He claimed to have altered the barrel at a friend’s house and he could not provide further details on the location. The suspect insisted that he had never used the gun for any illegal activities because he couldn't obtain ammunition and that his sole reason for selling the weapon was to pay for his education.

 

The suspect was taken to the Phasi Charoen Police Station for further investigation and legal proceedings. Lt. Col. Teeradech Dharmasutthir, head of the investigation, emphasised that firearms are a significant source of violent crime, particularly in cases involving student gangs.
 

He reiterated the BMPB’s commitment to tackling illegal firearm sales and warned that both buyers and sellers of guns online face severe legal consequences. Those purchasing firearms without a license face up to 10 years in prison and a fine of up to 20,000 baht. Sellers, meanwhile, face 2 to 20 years in prison and fines of up to 40,000 baht.

 

-- 2024-09-08

 

 

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[BangkokReady]

6 hours ago, Georgealbert said:

 

Mr. Pitsanu has the making of a pretty awesome album cover, should he choose to change his ways and head in a musical direction...  🤔

[brianthainess]

Now lock him up 2yrs min. no ifs or buts. Until they bring in minimum sentencing here, for gun offences nothing will change. 

[Lorry]

18 hours ago, Georgealbert said:

He faces charges of illegally selling and possessing firearms and carrying a weapon in a public area without a valid reason.

Would have been about 7000 B and a freebie from his 18y.o. gf, if she looks ok. But now it's in the news, too late.

 

[still kicking]

12 hours ago, brianthainess said:

Now lock him up 2yrs min. no ifs or buts. Until they bring in minimum sentencing here, for gun offences nothing will change. 

Has it changed in the USA?

[bunnydrops]

Unless they find he had bought a bunch of the BB guns and/or modified others. Give the kid a break, lesson learned. Sometimes I think some of the people here were little angels as kids (not)

[hotchilli]

5 hours ago, bunnydrops said:

Unless they find he had bought a bunch of the BB guns and/or modified others. Give the kid a break, lesson learned. Sometimes I think some of the people here were little angels as kids (not)

Give him a break?

What if a person bought the gun and killed an innocent person?

[bunnydrops]

8 minutes ago, hotchilli said:

Give him a break?

What if a person bought the gun and killed an innocent person?

What if anyone buys any gun and kills  an innocent person?  No one needs to buy a homemade to get a gun here. He made a mistake, he got caught. Sending  him to Crime University for 2 years to learn from the pros isn't going to help anyone.